Fuel control means for aerial jet-propelled bodies



July 10, 1956 c. H. BOTTOMS 2,753,882

FUEL CONTROL MEANS FOR AERIAL JET-'PROPELLED BODIES Filed Nov. 6. 1951 Fig.2

2,753,882 lc Patented July 10, 195

FUEL CONTROL MEANS FOR AERIAL JET-PROPELLED BODIES Charles Herbert Bottoms, Simonstone, near Padiham, England, assignor to Joseph Lucas Limited, Birmingham, England Application November 6, 1951, Serial No. 255,083

Claims priority, application Great Britain November 13, 1950 3 Claims. (Cl. 137-81) This invention relates to liquid or gaseous fuel control means for ram jet-propelled aerial bodies, and more particularly so-called athodyds and guided missiles. It is desired that no propulsion effort shall be exerted by the combustion of fuel until the body, when in flight, shall have attained a given speed. For example, it is desired that the initiation of fuel supply shall occur only when the speed attained has a Mach Number 1-1.3. Further it is desired to prevent the speed from exceeding a given Mach number, for example, 2.

The object of the present invention is to enable the above requirements to be met in a simple and reliable manner.

The invention comprises the combination of a hollow body part, a pair of diaphragms (or pistons) of unequal effective diameters dividing the chamber into three compartments, means for limiting the movements of the diaphragms (or pistons), and mechanism movable by the diaphragms (or pistons) for actuating a fuel controlling means, the arrangements being such that the compartment between the diaphragms (or pistons) can receive air at kinetic pressure dependent on the speed of the body, and the other compartments can receive air at static pressure.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are sectional views illustrating diagrammatically two embodiments of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a hollow body part a is divided into three compartments b, c, d by a pair of diaphragms e, f of appropriately unequal effective diameters. In the middle compartment is preferably arranged in a coaxial position an evacuated elastic capsule g secured at its ends to both diaphragms.

When the apparatus is not in action the diaphragms are both supported on annular abutments h in the middle compartment 0. Movement of either diaphragm from this position is limited by an annular abutment i in each of the other compartments b, a.

Any convenient provision is made for leading air through a port j at the kinetic pressure corresponding to the speed of the body to the middle compartment 0, and ports k, m are provided for leading air to the other compartments at static atmospheric pressure.

The diaphragm 2 has connected to it one end of an adjacently situated bell-crank lever 12 and the diaphragm f is likewise connected to a bell-crank lever 0. The other ends of these levers are connected by links p to another lever q which is adapted to control the fuel supply. The short arms of the levers n, 0 and the associated links and lever q, are contained in a sub-chamber which is isolated from the chamber containing the diaphragms and capsule.

In the example illustrated liquid fuel flowing through a part 1' is controlled by a closure member s co-operating with a seating t. The closure member is formed on one end of a piston rod u extending from a piston v, which is contained in a cylindrical chamber w and is loaded by a spring x. The ends of the cylinder are in communication with each other through a restricted orifice y. Motive liquid from any convenient source is admitted to the chamber w through a port 2 at one end of the chamber, and can pass out at the other end through a vent 3 which is controlled by a closure member 4 on the lever q above mentioned. Y

The arrangement is such that when the vent 3 is closed the fuel closure member s is held closed by the spring x. When the vent 3 is opened the predominant liquid pressure acting on one side of the piston v against the action of the spring x causes the closure member s to be moved to its open position. Liquid admitted to the part a through vent 3, is discharged through a spill port 5.

So long as the speed of the body in flight remains below a given amount the vent valve 4 remains closed. But when the appropriate speed is attained, the preponderating air pressure acting in the middle compartment 0 on the larger diaphragm f, moves the said diaphragm to the extent permitted by the adjacent abutment i, and so causes the vent valve 4 to open, thereby causing the closure member s to open. When the speed of the body, and consequently the air pressure in the compartment 0 exceeds a given amount, the smaller diaphragm e is moved to the permitted extent and causes the vent valve 4 to be closed or partially closed, thereby effecting a complete or partial closing of the closure member s.

Referring to Figure 2, the modified form of apparatus there shown is essentially similar to that above described but differs in the following particulars. The two diaphragms e, f are made of annular form, and within the evacuated capsule g is arranged another capsule 8 which is open at both ends and which is secured to the diaphragms. The lever q carrying the vent closure member 4 is pivoted on a lever 9 which is itself pivoted in the body part a. The lever 9 is connected by a link 10 to the diaphragm e and the lever q is connected by a link 11 to the diaphragm 1. When the pressure in the central chamber reaches a predetermined amount, the lever q is actuated for opening the closure member 4, and when a higher predetermined pressure is reached the lever 9 closes the said member. The associated fuel control means is similar to that shown in Figure 1.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pressure operated valve means comprising in combination a hollow body part having therein three airretaining compartments one of which is situated between the others, an inlet for admitting air at variable pressure to the intermediate compartment, inlets for admitting air at ambient atmospheric pressure to the other compartments, a pair of pressure responsive members of unequal effective areas separating the intermediate compartment from the other compartments so that the pressure responsive member of greater effective area is movable outwardly by a pressure increase in the intermediate compartment before outward movement is likewise imparted to the other pressure responsive member, means for limiting the movements of the pressure responsive members, a valve closure member, and mechanism connecting the valve closure member to the pressure responsive members so that outward movement of one of the pressure responsive members moves the valve closure member in one direction until said one pressure responsive member engages its movement limiting means whereupon outward movement of the other of the pressure responsive members moves the valve closure member in the opposite direction.

2. A pressure responsive valve means as claimed in claim 1, and having in combination with diaphragms forming the pressure responsive members, an evacuated elastic capsule situated between and connected at its ends I A to the diaphragms.

3. A pressure responsive valve means as claimed in claim 1, and having in combination with annular diaphragms forming thepressure responsive members, an evacuated elastic capsule situated between and connected at its ends tothe diaphragm's, and a second elastic capsule situated within the first mentioned capsule and secured to the inner peripheries of the diaph-ragms, the second capsule being open at both ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Stahl June 13, 1922 Watson et a1 May 9, 1950 Ifield Oct. 3, 1950 Deacon Sept. 4, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Jan. 6, 1949 

